Kochi horror: Playschool teacher arrested for brutal caning of three-year-old boy | Kochi News – Times of India

KOCHI: A teacher of a playschool in Mattancherry was arrested for allegedly beating a three-year-old boy after a complaint was lodged by the victim’s mother.
According to the city police, the child was subjected to severe corporal punishment by the teacher.
“Previously too the kid had been subjected to beatings. There were signs of physical abuse on his body and he was hesitant to attend school for a month.The discovery of new injuries prompted the mother to file a complaint,” said a press release issued by the police on Thursday.

The teacher, employed on a contract basis, was suspended as soon as the mother’s complaint was brought to the school management’s attention. However, when the accused was presented in court on Thursday evening, the child’s family chose to withdraw their complaint.
The court subsequently granted interim bail to the teacher with instruc tions to appear before the magistrate on Monday. The court has also directed the police to submit a report along with a medical certificate.
“Our decision was motivated by compassion. We understood that she was grappling with a personal tragedy, having lost her father just two weeks ago. Although her actions were unacceptable, we were worried that legal repercussions, including arrest and prosecution, would worsen her situation,” the child’s grandfather said, explaining their decision to withdraw the complaint.
“The child was brutally beaten up with a cane. When the kid returned home, he had bruises on his body. The teacher’s assault has left him deeply traumatized. He is currently resting at home, recovering from this ordeal,” he said.
The district child protec tion office of Ernakulam has initiated action based on media reports, and the Childline unit has begun an inquiry.
Shyam Sasi, the district coordinator of Childline, said volunteers have gathered details from the police and will take a detailed statement from the child’s family.
“Though the family withdrew their complaint, we will pursue action, as such incidents can have severe consequences on children. A case has been registered, and we will inform the Child Welfare Committee, Ernakulam after our preliminary inquiry,” he added.
Sini K S, district child protection officer, expressed concern over the incident and said students at the school would receive counselling.
“It is unfortunate that some teachers remain unaware that corporal punishment is illegal, and such behavior can have lasting impacts on children,” she said.
Honey G Alexander, deputy director of education, said the department has no role in controlling private playschools as they fall under the social welfare department.
“The education department provides special training to pre-primary teachers,” he said.
The accused has been charged under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, specifically Section 75 (cruelty to children), as well as the applicable section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for voluntarily causing harm using dangerous means or weapons.